Article of footwear accommodating different foot sizes

• US 8,935,861 B2
• Filed: 08/14/2009
• Issued: 01/20/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 08/14/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nike, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Nike, Inc.
• Inventors: Baker, Brian D., Rhulen, Blake, Wilken, Doug D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Huynh, Khoa
• Assistant Examiner(s): Prange, Sharon M
• Application Number:
  US12/541,600
• Publication Number:
  US 20110035963A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,985 Days
• Field of Search: 36/3.A, 36/97, 361/14, 361/28, 361/33
• US Class Current: 36/97
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 1/0018 made at least partially of flexible, bellow-like shaped material
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 1/10 made of rubber
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 13/141 with a part of the sole being flexible, e.g. permitting articulation or torsion
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 13/226 the profile being made in the foot facing surface
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 13/40 with cushions
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 23/027 with a part of the upper particularly flexible, e.g. permitting articulation or torsion
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 3/26 adjustable as to length or size
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 5/02 Football boots or shoes, i.e. for soccer, football or rugby
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 5/025 characterised by an element which improves the contact between the ball and the footwear
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 7/06 ventilated
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 7/141 having an anatomical or curved form
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 7/1425 situated under the ball of the foot, i.e. the joint between the first metatarsal and first phalange
• CPC Class Codes: A43C 15/16 Studs or cleats for football or like boots

Abstract

An article of footwear comfortably accommodating different foot sizes is disclosed. The article comprises an upper, sole and integrally formed cleat members made of a monolithic material. In addition, the article can include an integrally formed internal cushioning system. The article further includes grooves and/or perforations that assist the footwear in stretching to accommodate different foot sizes.

Claims

1. An article of footwear, comprising:

an upper and a sole;

the sole comprising an inner portion and an outer portion;

the outer portion including a plurality of cleat members that are integrally formed with the sole;

the inner portion including a plurality of cushioning members that are integrally formed with the sole, the plurality of cushioning members being exposed to an interior of the article of footwear;

at least one groove encircling the article of footwear and extending through the upper and the sole, wherein the groove expands to stretch the upper and the sole to accommodate a foot of a wearer;

wherein the plurality of cleat members and the plurality of cushioning members are made of a substantially similar material;

wherein the plurality of cushioning members are disposed along the inner portion of the sole such that the entirety of the plurality of cushioning members disposed on the inner portion of the sole form a contoured shape corresponding to a bottom surface of a foot; and

wherein the contoured shape comprises a first set of the plurality of cushioning members having a first height and a second set of the plurality of cushioning members having a second height that is larger than the first height.

2. The article of footwear according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of cushioning members and the sole are made of a substantially similar material.

3. The article of footwear according to claim 2, wherein the plurality of cushioning members and the upper are made of a substantially similar material.

4. The article of footwear according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of cleat members and the sole are made of a substantially similar material.

5. The article of footwear according to claim 4, wherein the plurality of cleat members and the upper are made of a substantially similar material.

6. The article of footwear according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the plurality of cushioning members associated with the second set is disposed on the inner portion of the sole at a location that corresponds to a contour of a toe.

7. The article of footwear according to claim 1, wherein the at least one groove is disposed in a forefoot portion of the article of footwear.

8. The article of footwear according to claim 1, further comprising a plurality of grooves, including a first groove set disposed in a forefoot portion of the article of footwear extending through the upper and the sole and a second groove set disposed in a heel portion of the article of footwear extending through the upper and the sole.

9. The article of footwear according to claim 8, wherein the second groove set includes at least one groove extending from a midfoot portion of the sole and through the upper in a rearwards direction towards the heel portion.

10. An article of footwear, comprising:

an upper and a sole;

the sole comprising an inner portion disposed opposite an outer portion, the inner portion including a plurality of cushioning members that are integrally formed with the sole, the plurality of cushioning members being exposed to an interior of the article of footwear, and wherein the plurality of cushioning members are disposed over substantially all of the inner portion of the sole;

the article of footwear having a first configuration associated with a first length and a second configuration associated with a second length, the second length being greater than the first length;

a plurality of grooves disposed on the article of footwear and extending around the article of footwear in a lateral direction through the upper and the sole, wherein the plurality of grooves are disposed below an exterior surface of the article of footwear and extend around the article of footwear in a continuous manner from the upper to an underside of the sole;

the plurality of grooves including a first groove associated with a first width and a second groove associated with a second width, the first width being smaller than the second width; and

wherein the first groove and the second groove are configured to assist the article of footwear in stretching between the first configuration and the second configuration.

11. The article according to claim 10, wherein the first configuration is associated with a first footwear size and wherein the second configuration is associated with a second footwear size that is a half size larger than the first footwear size.

12. The article of footwear according to claim 10, wherein the article of footwear is configured to accommodate four distinct footwear half sizes.

13. The article of footwear according to claim 10, wherein the upper and the sole comprise a substantially monolithic material.

14. The article of footwear according to claim 10, wherein at least one of the first groove and the second groove includes a plurality of perforations.

15. The article of footwear according to claim 14, wherein the plurality of perforations disposed within at least one of the first groove and the second groove extend through from an exterior surface to an interior of the article of footwear.

16. The article of footwear according to claim 10, wherein the article of footwear includes three or more grooves.

17. The article of footwear according to claim 10, wherein the plurality of grooves further includes a first groove set disposed in a forefoot portion of the article of footwear extending through the upper and the sole and a second groove set disposed in a heel portion of the article of footwear extending through the upper and the sole.

18. The article of footwear according to claim 17, wherein the second groove set includes at least one groove extending from a midfoot portion of the sole and through the upper in a rearwards direction towards the heel portion.

19. The article of footwear according to claim 10, wherein the plurality of cushioning members are associated with a height from 0.1 mm to 5 mm.